Maxentius

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provides interesting history, facts and information about
the usurper Emperor Maxentius and the all-powerful Caesars
who ruled the empire of Ancient Rome.

The word "Caesar" was originally the
name of the famous aristocratic patrician family of ancient
Rome and became synonymous with the Roman Emperors. Refer to
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Famous Romans - History, Facts and information about the Roman Emperor Maxentius *** The Life, History and short Biography of Maxentius *** Fast facts, short biography and interesting information *** Maxentius *** History, facts, short biography and information about the good, bad and downright evil rulers of Ancient Rome *** Facts and information about the life and great power of this Emperor of Rome and the the provinces of the Roman Empire

Maxentius

Short Biography
about the life of Maxentius
Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of
Maxentius, Usurper Emperor of Rome and provinces of the Roman Empire.

Name commonly known as: Maxentius *** Latin Roman Name: Marcus
Aurelius Valerius Maxentius *** Reigned as Roman Emperor /
Caesar: 28 October 306 -
28 October 312 in competition with Severus, then Galerius
then Constantine - jointly with his father, Maximian, 306-8 *** Dynasty / Historical Period:
In 285 the Roman Empire was split in half by Diocletian - The
Western Roman Empire and the other half became known as the Eastern
Roman Empire or the Byzantine Empire. *** Date of Birth: c. 278 *** Name of previous Emperor: His predecessor or the Emperor before Maxentius was
Constantius Chlorus *** Family connections / Genealogy

Maxentius
the Usurper - Roman Coins, or coinageMaxentius was a usurper. Usurper is a term used to
describe an illegal claimant to the throne without securing
"the consent of the governed." Usurpers were a common
feature of the late Roman Empire, especially from the crisis
of the third century onwards. Every new emperor, either
legal or illegal, marked the beginning of his rule by
minting new coins, both for the prestige of declaring
oneself as Augustus and to pay the loyal soldiers their
share. Roman coins, or coinage, is often the only evidence
of a determined usurpation such as that of Maxentius.

Interesting facts
about the life of Maxentius
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor
Maxentius from the following facts and information about his life.
Maxentius was
Augustus in the west of the Empire. He was the son of former
emperor Maximian (aka Maximianus or Herculius), and the
son-in-law of Galerius who was also an emperor.

In A.D. 305 the
Emperor Diocletian decided to
abdicate his power and 'persuaded'
the Emperor Maximianus to do the same. Maximianus
retired from public life in Lucania or Campania. Upon the
abdication of Maximianus and Diocletian, the two Caesars,
Constantius and Galerius, assumed the title of Augustus and
succeeded as co-emperors. Maximianus retired from public
life but this only lasted for one year. Maxentius, the son
of Maximianus, provoked a new Civil War in the empire. On 28 October 306 Maxentius
was proclaimed emperor at Rome and Maximianus was forced to
back his son and they ruled jointly until 308.

Maximianus
attempted to depose Maxentius in 308 but failed and his son,
the usurper Maxentius, continued to act as ruler until
October 312. In the summer of 310 Maximianus proclaimed
himself emperor but was eventually taken
prisoner. He was granted pardon for his crimes but then he
attempted to have Constantine murdered in his bed.
Maximianus died shortly after the failed assassination
attempt either by his own hand or on the orders of
Constantine. In the summer of 311, Maxentius mobilized
against Constantine while Licinius was occupied with affairs
in the East. Maxentius declared war on Constantine, vowing
to avenge his father's "murder". The armies of Constantine
and Maxentius met north of Rome. There was fierce fighting
and Maxentius and his the troops retreated to the River
Tiber. Somehow Maxentius fell into the Tiber and drowned so
ending the life of this usurper on 28 October 312.

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Famous Romans - History, Facts and information about the Roman Emperor Maxentius *** The Life, History and short Biography of Maxentius *** Fast facts, short biography and interesting information *** Maxentius *** History, facts, short biography and information about the good, bad and downright evil rulers of Ancient Rome *** Facts and information about the life and great power of this Emperor of Rome and the the provinces of the Roman Empire *** Ancient history, facts and interesting information about the Romans